Materials
Images of the ocean floor’s structures including abyssal plain, seamounts, guyots, continental shelf, continental slope, mid-ocean ridge, etc., Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor by Robert Burleigh and Raul Colon, Water Land: Land and Water Forms Around the World by Christy Hale, modeling clay (damp sand or kinetic sand would also work) in multiple colors, rounded toothpicks, sticky address labels, black flair pens, 4.25” x 11” cardboard, data collection sheets showing depths of the Northeast Pacific Ocean, 8.5” x 14” grid paper, internet access, pencils, colored pencils
Engage
Introduction (Images/Graphics & Animation)
Ask: What are the structures of the ocean floor? What are the geologic processes that shape the ocean floor?
Say: In this unit, we will learn about the structures of the ocean floor, the geologic processes that shape the landscape of the ocean floor, how scientists and engineers use data-collecting instruments to gather information on ocean floor structures, and finally all about one particular dynamic ocean floor structure, Axial Seamount.
Say: The Circum-Pacific Belt is nicknamed The Ring of Fire because most of Earth’s volcanoes and earthquakes take place along this circular path. In addition to underwater volcanoes, or seamounts, our ocean hosts several structures similar to what we see on land. For example, we see the Great Plains on land and the abyssal plains, which cover most of the ocean floor.
Give students several minutes to interact with the images, Ring of Fire, and Interactive map – have them list what they notice and what they wonder.
Explore
Introduction (Images/Graphics & Animation)
Ask: What are the structures of the ocean floor? What are the geologic processes that shape the ocean floor?
Say: In this unit, we will learn about the structures of the ocean floor, the geologic processes that shape the landscape of the ocean floor, how scientists and engineers use data-collecting instruments to gather information on ocean floor structures, and finally all about one particular dynamic ocean floor structure, Axial Seamount.
Say: The Circum-Pacific Belt is nicknamed The Ring of Fire because most of Earth’s volcanoes and earthquakes take place along this circular path. In addition to underwater volcanoes, or seamounts, our ocean hosts several structures similar to what we see on land. For example, we see the Great Plains on land and the abyssal plains, which cover most of the ocean floor.
Give students several minutes to interact with the images, Ring of Fire, and Interactive map – have them list what they notice and what they wonder.
resources
